Pregnancy and working during Covid 19

[Milnes94]

So current guidance says that women who are 28 weeks should not be at work in a patient facing role (i work in a hospital). Im currently on annual leave till I reach 28 weeks and then ill be on medical exclusion. My manager has said that if guidance changes I may have to go back.

So my question is, do you think its likely that women post 28 weeks will be expected back in work any time soon? (I realise its an ever changing situation).

I doubt it. I’m only 22 weeks & been signed off by my place of work since 18 weeks (I am also a frontline worker). My work have said that they don’t predict things to start getting normal again until mid June so would be surprised to even see me back before maternity.

You can go on maternity leave from 29 weeks, so no pregnant woman should be forced to go back to work after 28 weeks.

I know we can start mat leave from 28 weeks but this means losing a lot of time with baby so not ideal. (Obviously id do whatever was safest). I have been off for 6 weeks then got a call to say i had to return to work on the wards till 28 weeks as its safe! So you can imagine my concern. Ive gone in annual leave insead.

Im also 22 weeks i should mention

My work have told me that I don’t have to take maternity leave earlier than I planned (unless baby arrives earlier) as this is an unprecedented circumstance that I have no control over. You cannot be forced to take maternity leave early.

Oh of course, I'm just saying that even with an unreasonable employer, there are options.

@Lougle yes of course. If your employer will not accommodate you & you are happy to take maternity early to avoid going back to work then that’s a much better option than putting yourself & baby at risk I just hope no one is forced into taking early maternity leave due to their employer forcing it xx